Illuminated sign



July 29, 1952 J. A. PORTER ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. 10, 1950 I N V EN TOR. 'bfoszpA/ne /7. par fe/ Patented July 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED SIGN Josephine Adele Porter, Baltimore, Md.

Application August 10, 1950, Serial No. 178,710

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to illuminated signs and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is the cardinal object of the invention to provide a sign wherein a pair of instrumentalities are employed in illuminating the sign so that if one is disrupted, the remaining instrumentality will function to render the sign visible during a darkened period of time.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a sign wherein an electric light is normally employed to illuminate a sign, there being associated with the sign areas coated with a luminous paint so that the location of the sign will be readily discernible in a darkened period of time, such as would occur upon failure of the electrical circuit, the device being useful parcularly to indicate an exit in a building.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sign constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the sign with the cover plate removed.

Reference is first made to Figure 2 of the drawing, wherein there is shown a metal base having an inwardly offset flange ll forming a seat [2 for a transparent closure l3, the latter having a flange l4 adapted to engage a wall 15 of the base. The wall l and the flange I4 are suitably apertured to receive screws 16 for securing the closure upon the base. The inner face of the base It is provided with a reflector surface H for a purpose as will presently appear.

In the present instance, I have preferred to illustrate an exit sign, but obviously any suitable legend may be employed on the face of the closure [3.

Upon the rear face 18 of the closure an annular channel I9 is formed, of a depth to receive an annular luminescent tube 20, there being suitable retaining elements 2| for maintaining the tube in position. The tube 20 is illuminated by electrical current supplied by the conductor 22.

The front face 23 of the closure I3 is formed with a plurality of annular recesses 24, each recase 24 having a passage 25 in communication with the annular channel I9 so that light emanating from the tube 20 will pass outwardly into the recessed members 24 for reactivating a luminous material coated upon the bases of the recesses 24. Such passage of light rays will be furthered by reason of the reflecting surface H.

In use, the sign It will be suspended by any suitable bracket (not shown) and with the conductor connected in a suitable source of electrical current, the tube 20 will be energized to illuminate the sign, as well as the recesses 24. Where the sign isemployed in a darkened structure, such as a theater, it will be apparent that the sign legend will be illuminated and in addition the legend will be surrounded by the recesses 24 further attracting attention to an exit of the theater. In the event of failure of the electrical current, thereby preventing operation of the tube 22, the luminous material within the recesses 24 will glow to indicate an exit, during a darkened period of time, enabling persons to find their way out of the theater in an orderly fashion.

While I have shownand described a preferred form of the device, this is by way of illustration only, and I consider as my own, all such modifications in construction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An illuminated sign comprising a base member, a transparent closure for the base member and having a sign legend thereon, said closure having a channel formed upon the inner face thereof, a luminescent tube mounted in said channel, a plurality of recesses formed in the outer face of the closure and arranged around the sign legend, each recess having a coating of luminous paint thereon and each recess having open communication with the channel whereby light from the tube may pass to the recesses.

JOSEPHINE ADELE PORTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 911,401 Junghans Feb. 2, 1909 1,850,319 Fensom Mar. 22, 1932 1,888,366 Willens Nov. 22, 1932 

